United States South Dakota Interior

Big Badlands Overlook

A panoramic vista offering stunning views of rugged, eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires in a vast protected prairie landscape.

Tips from the community

This is the first viewpoint along the eastern entrance into the park. The early morning and late evening offer the best lighting to enjoy the rock colors. 

nicolejordan 3 years ago

Big Badlands Overlook Articles

  • Badlands National Park: The Complete Guide for 2023

    Badlands? Why would you name a national park bad-lands? Well, the Oglala Lakota People were the first to name this site. They originally called this area “mako sica,” which translates to “land bad.” When French fur trappers traveled through, they called the area “les mauvaises terres à traverser” or “bad lands to travel across.” Rugged […]

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